A student who attends Xavier High School has been diagnosed with an active case of tuberculosis. The Health Department is working with the administration and the state to contact those who may have had close contact with the student.(Photo11: utah778, Getty Images/iStockphoto)

APPLETON - The Health Department confirmed Wednesday that a student who attends Xavier High School has been diagnosed with active tuberculosis disease.

The student, who was not identified, is in isolation and under medical treatment. The Health Department is collaborating with the State Division of Public Health and the school administration to contact anyone who may have had close contact with the student.

Health Officer Kurt Eggebrecht stressed that there is no danger to the community at large and tuberculosis is not a disease easily transmittable to others without close and continued contact with a person who has the disease.

Letters were sent to parents of Xavier students identified to have had close contact with the student. The letter explains the symptoms of tuberculosis and how to get tested for the disease.

Separate letters were sent to parents whose children were born outside of the U.S., encouraging their children to get a TB blood test. It is common practice in other countries to vaccinate for TB, which could lead to false positives on a standard skin test, the health department said.

A notice is also up on the school website with facts about tuberculosis.

Forty to 50 people are diagnosed with tuberculosis disease in Wisconsin every year. The most common symptoms include chronic cough, fever, sweats and unintended weight loss.

The disease can be cured with a proper regimen of medicine. Those who are in contact with a TB-diagnosed individual can also seek medicine to decrease their own risk, health officials said.

The Health Department encourages anyone who thinks they may have been exposed to a person with tuberculosis or has questions about the disease to contact their personal health provider or call the health office at 920-832-6429.